Early Years Community Sessions

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We at The Federation believe that there is wisdom to be found in different and differing perspectives. We believe that the best community social services are built upon local knowledge and strong relationships. And we believe that the intentional inclusion of many voices is integral to creating lasting change.

Over the past six months, The Federation has been collecting and sharing feedback from our members about the changes to Early Years services in BC. While most of the members we have spoken to are supportive of the Early Years Framework there have been lots of concerns about the changes underway and the impact they will have on community members and service delivery.

As a way to help address these concerns, The Federation is working with the Ministry for Children and Family Development to host community dialogue sessions. Our goal is to bring together the many different people involved in the early years to share information and to identify new ways of work together in the service of young children and their families.

In addition to these dialogue sessions, MCFD is also providing free half-day cultural safety training for early years leaders and staff across the province. These sessions are being designed specifically for non-indigenous service providers who want to make sure all community programs are places of cultural safety and belonging.

Community Dialogue Sessions

You will have the chance to participate in a dialogue session with the new MCFD Director of Operations for the Early Years. You can meet the new DOO, learn about their role, ask questions, and share information about service needs in your community. These dialogue sessions are an important opportunity to build the foundation of future relationships between the Early Years sector and MCFD.

Cultural Safety Sessions

Dr. Margo Greenwood and Dr. Sarah de Leeuw will be offering a creative, inviting, and supportive workshop, led by Indigenous and non-Indigenous facilitators about cultural safety, respect, and sensitivity—as well how to incorporate it into service delivery in your place of work. The sessions are a low-barrier training opportunity that will enhance both your personal learning and your practice.

Register to participate!

These sessions will be taking place between now and April and we encourage you to make time to attend. You can see the full list of dates and communities below. Click here to RSVP for sessions in your community.

Organizations are asked to limit participation to two representatives each; however, the same person does not need to attend both the morning and afternoon session. (For example, an Executive Director may choose to attend the dialogue session but have front line staff attend the cultural safety session.) If you have questions about this initiative or want more information, please contact kathy@fcssbc.ca.

And please help us spread the word out about these sessions. They are free of charge and available to all early years service providers (you don’t have to be a Federation member or have contracts with MCFD to attend). Please help us circulate this information by sharing this with anyone who may be interested in participating.

Rebecca Ataya Lang
Director of Programs and Services 

 

Prince George* (SDA 42 North Central): February 7 & April 4
Terrace* (SDA 41 Northwest): February 8 & April 2
Fort St. John* (SDA 43 NorthEast): February 11 & April 9
Victoria (SDA 31 South Vancouver Island): February 19
Nanaimo (SDA 32 North Vancouver Island): February 20
Kamloops (SDA 13 Thompson Cariboo Shuswap): February 25
Abbotsford (SDA 21 East Fraser): March 11
Burnaby (SDA 22 North Fraser): March 12
Surrey (SDA 23 South Fraser): March 13
Vancouver (SDA 24 Vancouver/Richmond): March 14
North Shore (SDA 25 Coast/North Shore): March 15
Cranbrook (SDA 11 Kootenays): April 11

*Please note: For SDAs 41, 42, and 43 the sessions are on two separate dates.